US6478805B1 - System for removing cut tissue from the inner bore of a surgical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for removing cut tissue from the inner bore of a surgical rongeur or suction punch, comprising: an elongated tubular member having a side hole positioned adjacent its distal end; and an insert projecting inwardly from the distal end of the tubular member into the inner bore of the tubular member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a regular patent application of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/167,189 filed Nov. 23, 1999 and No. 60/129,703 filed Apr. 16, 1999, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to rongeurs and suction punches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rongeurs and suction punches typically comprise a long tubular element having a small side opening near its distal end. A cutting element is operated to slide longitudinally back and forth within the inner bore of the tubular element. The cutting element is specifically adapted to cut away any tissues protruding inwardly through the side hole.

A problem with existing rongeurs and suction punches are that the cut away tissue tends to become compacted within inner bore of the tubular element, especially within the region adjacent the distal side hole.

Suction punches operate similar to rongeurs, but suction is maintained to draw the cut away tissue out of the inner bore of the tubular element. A problem common to existing suction punches in particular is that when the cutting element is advanced distally to cut away the portion of tissue projecting into the side hole, a vacuum is created within the inner bore of the suction punch, thus preventing tissue from easily being removed. As such, the cut away tissues are only removed when the cutting element is retracted, and the distal side hole is opened. Only when the side hole is opened, air and fluid may enter the side hole such that the cut tissues may be sucked out of the center tube of the suction punch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for removing cut tissue from the inner bore of the tubular element of a surgical rongeur or suction punch. In preferred aspects, the tubular member is fitted with a member which projects inwardly from its distal end, (into the interior bore of the tubular member).

Preferably, this member projects inwardly to a distance such that a proximal end of the member is disposed adjacent the side hole cutting region of the rongeur/suction punch.

In further preferred aspects of the invention, the tubular member of the rongeur/suction punch has an orifice passing through its distal end to permit air and fluid flow therein. An advantage of permitting air and fluid flow in through the distal end of the tubular member is that a vacuum is not formed within the device. Rather, a steady suctioning of cut away tissues out of the inner bore of the device can be easily achieved.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, a hollow member which projects inwardly from the distal end of the rongeur/suction punch into the inner bore of the tubular member of the rongeur/suction punch is used to accomplish both the benefits of a member projecting inwardly from the distal end of the tubular member and an orifice passing air and fluid into the distal end of the tubular member. The hollow member may be an integral portion of an end tip of the device, or may alternatively comprise a tube inserted into the distal end of the device.

Systems are also provided for ensuring that tissue fibers are cleanly cut away by the device such that fibers do not become jammed in the device during its operation. In a preferred aspect, the system for cleanly cutting away tissue fibers comprises a flat surface against which the blade at the distal end of the tubular cutting element seats when the side opening in the device is closed, (i.e., when the cutting element fully extended in a distal direction).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view of the present invention in a partially opened position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the present invention in a fully opened “ready-to-cut” position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of the present invention in a fully closed position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the present invention positioned ready to cut a mass of tissue.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view showing a cut mass of tissue in phantom.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view showing the present system in a open “ready-to-cut” position after previously cutting a tissue mass.

FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in a fully opened position.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7, but with the present invention in a fully closed position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the distal tip of the invention shown in FIG.7.

FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 9, but shows inner details in phantom.

FIG. 11 is a perspective end view of the distal tip of FIGS.9 and10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the distal end of a surgical rongeur/suction punch is shown. Specifically, the surgical rongeur/suction punch comprises atubular element10 having aside opening12. Within the interior bore oftubular element10 is disposed atubular cutting element14 having a sharpenedblade15 at its distal end, typical of existing systems. Tissue is cut or resected by slidingtubular cutting element14 in a distal direction from the position shown in FIG. 2 (in whichside opening12 is fully opened), to the position shown in FIG. 3, (in whichside opening12 is fully closed). During this procedure, a protruding tissue mass is pushed into side opening12 such that it protrudes inwardly into the interior bore oftubular element10.

The present invention provides aninsert20 which is received into an opening22 in the distal end oftubular element10. Insert20 offers numerous advantages and provides a system for removing cut tissue from the inner bore oftubular element14 as follows.

Referring to FIG. 4, a protruding mass of tissue T1 is inserted into side opening12 whentubular element14 is fully retracted (in the position as shown in FIG.2). Advancement oftubular cutting element14 to the position shown in FIG. 5 will sever tissue mass T1 such that it remains within the internal bore oftubular cutting element14. Ascutting blade14 is advanced fully forward (in a distal direction) to the position shown in FIG. 5, insert20, which protrudes into the bore ofblade14 from the distal end oftubular element10, will push against tissue mass TI causing it to move in a proximal direction P within the inner bore ofblade14. As such whenblade14 is withdrawn, (in proximal direction P), to the position shown in FIG. 6, tissue mass T1 will be pushed upstream of side opening12 as shown.

Accordingly,insert20 offers the advantage both of helping to decompact cut tissue mass by pushing the tissue mass in a proximal direction when cuttingblade14 is advanced fully forward, and also in positioning the tissue masses behind and out of the way of side opening12 when the cutting blade is retracted for further cutting. In a preferred aspect, insert20 preferably has aflat face21 at its proximal end.

As is seen in FIGS. 1-3,insert20 may preferably comprise a hollow tube having adistal opening23 and aproximal opening25 permitting air and fluid flow therethrough. This feature of the invention offers the important advantage of “vacuum breaking” in which a steady suction can be maintained on the inner bore ofblade14, thereby continuously removing cut away tissues, as follows.

Whenblade14 is advanced distally after cutting to the position shown in FIG. 3, such thatside hole12 is now closed, air and fluid flow into the interior tubular bore ofblade14 throughopenings23 and25 prevents a vacuum from building up in the interior of the device. As such, a steady suctioning of cut tissue from the interior bore ofblade14 can be achieved with the tissue being withdrawn from the interior bore of the device even thoughside opening12 has been closed.

In another aspect of the invention, the combined effect ofinsert20 physically moving cut tissue in proximal direction P whenblade14 is advanced in distal direction D while simultaneously permitting a suction flow into the interior bore of the device, operates to remove cut tissues from the rongeur/suction punch.

Preferably as well,insert20 comprises a hollow tube having an inner bore diameter which is dimensioned to be narrow enough such that air and fluid passing therethrough prevents a vacuum from forming in the inner bore of the surgical rongeur or suction punch, yet is dimensioned to be wide enough such that a sufficient suction force can be maintained in the inner bore of the elongated tubular member.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 to11.

Referring to FIG. 7,tubular cutting element14 is shown retracted such thatblade14 is positioned distally such that side opening12 fully opened. Adistal tip30 having adistal opening32 and aproximal opening35 is disposed on the distal end oftubular element10.Openings32 and35 operate as was described with respect toopenings23 and25.Distal tip30 further comprises aflat face31 at its proximal end, operating in the same manner as was described with respect toflat face21 ofinsert20.

In addition,distal tip30 further comprises anannular seating surface37 against whichblade15 contacts when fully moved to a distal position, (as is shown in FIG.8). Referring to FIG. 8, the present invention is shown in a fully closed position. Havingblade15 contacting against flatannular seating surface37, the present invention provides a system of fully cutting away any tissue received throughside opening12. As such, the present invention advantageously does not become jammed or clogged with partially cut away tissue.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described in some detail, by way of example and for clarity of understanding, a variety changes, adaptations, and modifications will be obvious to those of skill in the art. Hence, the scope of the present invention is limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims (9)

What is claimed is:

1. A system for successively removing cut tissue from the inner bore of a surgical rongeur or suction punch, comprising:

an elongated tubular member having an inner bore of substantially uniform diameter and a side hole positioned adjacent its distal end for receiving tissue therethrough;

a tubular cutting element having a blade at its distal end, said tubular cutting element being axially moveable within said elongated tubular member to cut tissue extending through said side hole of said elongated tubular member;

a hollow tube extending inwardly from the distal end of said elongated tubular member within the inner bore of said elongated tubular member such that the proximal end of the hollow tube is disposed substantially adjacent the side hole of the elongated tubular member, said hollow tube permitting air and fluid passage therethrough to prevent the formation of a vacuum within the inner bore when said cutting element blocks said side hole of said elongated tubular member while cutting tissue; and

a source for suctioning cut tissue from the inner bore of the elongated tubular member.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the hollow tube has a flat proximal end disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member, said flat proximal end having sufficient surface area to maintain cut tissue in a stationary position relative to said elongated tubular element while said tubular cutting element is advanced distally, thereby pushing said cut tissue proximally into said tubular cutting element.

3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the hollow tube has an inner bore which is dimensioned narrowly enough such that air and fluid passing therethrough prevents a vacuum from forming in the inner bore of the surgical rongeur or suction punch, yet is dimensioned wide enough such that a sufficient suction force can be continuously maintained in the inner bore of the elongated tubular member.

4. The system ofclaim 1 and further, wherein the source for suctioning comprises a suction system adapted to reduce the air and fluid pressure within the inner bore of the surgical rongeur or suction punch.

5. A system for successively removing cut tissue from the inner bore of a surgical rongeur or suction punch, comprising:

an elongated tubular member having an inner bore of substantially uniform diameter, a side hole positioned adjacent its distal end, and a hollow tubular portion, said hollow tubular portion projecting inwardly from the distal end such that the proximal end of the hollow tubular portion is disposed substantially adjacent the side hole of the elongated tubular member;

a tubular cutting element having a blade at its distal end, said tubular cutting element being axially moveable within said elongated tubular member to cut tissue extending through said side hole of said elongated tubular member, wherein said hollow tubular portion permits air and fluid passage therethrough to prevent the formation of a vacuum within the inner bore when said cutting element blocks said side hole of said elongated tubular member while cutting tissue; and

a source for suctioning cut tissue from the inner bore of the elongated tubular member.

6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the hollow tubular portion has a flat proximal end disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member.

7. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the hollow tubular portion has an inner bore which is dimensioned narrowly enough such that air and fluid passing therethrough prevents a vacuum from forming in the inner bore of the surgical rongeur or suction punch, yet is dimensioned wide enough such that a sufficient suction force can be continuously maintained in the inner bore of the elongated tabular member.

8. The system ofclaim 5 and further, wherein the source for suctioning comprises a suction system adapted to reduce the air and fluid pressure within the inner bore of the surgical rongeur or suction punch.

9. A system for successively removing cut tissue from the inner bore of a surgical rongeur or suction punch, comprising:

an elongated tubular member having a distal end, a side hole positioned adjacent the distal end, and an orifice passing through the distal end;

a tubular cutting element having a blade at its distal end, said tubular cutting element being axially moveable within said elongated tubular member;

a distal tip received within the orifice passing through the distal end of the elongated tubular member, the distal tip projecting inwardly from the distal end of the tubular member into the inner bore of the tubular member to a distance such that the proximal end of the distal tip is disposed adjacent the side hole of the elongated tubular member, wherein the distal tip comprises a hollow tubular portion permitting air and fluid passage therethrough, and wherein the distal tip has a seating surface against which the blade seats when the tubular cutting element is disposed a fully extended distal position, in which the side hole is closed; and

a suction source for suctioning cut tissue from the inner bore of the elongated tubular member.

Images